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2018 GMC Yukon XL Denali with 10-Speed

General Motors has begun rolling out its 10-speed automatic transmission with the 2018 GMC Yukon XL Denali, which results in a silkier drive for this large SUV.

GMC has implemented the gearbox as the Hydra-Matic 10R80, pairing it with its carryover 6.2-liter V-8 Ecotec3 engine. While the transmission has been designed for rear-wheel drive vehicles, it also fits nicely with the 4WD model.

The transmission was developed in a partnership with Ford, which rolled it out on its 2017 F-150 and paired it with the revamped 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-6.

Part of the rationale for adding a higher-gear transmission is to improve fuel economy, and this large SUV adds 1 mpg in highway driving. With the 2018 Yukon Denali, the benefits come more in the driving experience with greater refinement, smoother shifting, better responsiveness, and less engine noise.

Taller gears do give the vehicle more punch off the line, but it quickly moves up the ladder to higher gears. That may be because fewer drivers will be using the truck for towing, and are looking for a higher quality drive. They get it.

Photo of Yukon Denali's interior by Vince Taroc.

The 10-speed is available on Denali versions of the Yukon and Yukon XL. The SLE and SLT trims offer the base 5.3-liter V-8 paired with a six-speed transmission.

The Yukon Denali adds a few other upgrades for 2018, including a new, more sculpted grille; a tire pressure monitor with a tire fill alert; and an Open Road package with nine more months of SiriusXM Radio and the NavTraffic service. The SUV also enables wireless charging of smartphones with a Qi charging pad built into the center storage lid.

The Yukon XL would retail for at least $71,865 plus a $1,295 delivery fee. Our tested model would retail for $80,585.

Driving Notes

The Subaru Forester always owned the moniker of “functional crossover” and owned it well. The compact SUV gets a substantial makeover for the 2019 model year and doesn’t stray from its roots — yet widens its appeal with added capabilities and features.

Nissan's 2019 Altima midsize sedan gets a wide-ranging update led off by new powertrains and enough safety tech and to remain firmly planted as a reliable choice for the pharmaceutical and other commercial fleets now using it.

Fleet managers looking for a safety-oriented compact SUV should consider Hyundai's 2019 Santa Fe, which enters its fourth generation with an array of driver-assisting and safety features as standard equipment even on the base model.

Fleets searching for a compact SUV for upper-echelon sales reps may want to consider the 2018 GMC Terrain — a capable utility that arrives in a more upscale package that its companion Chevrolet Equinox.

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a significantly upgraded van that offers a dizzying array of configurations and meaningful improvements designed to improve productivity for delivering packages or hauling passengers.

The EcoSport is Ford’s first-ever subcompact SUV sold in North America, one of the region’s fastest growing vehicle segments. The EcoSport is sold globally by Ford and the updated U.S. model is imported from Ford India.

The all-new 2019 Ram 1500 Tradesman model is designed for vocational fleet applications, such as those found in the construction, landscaping, HVAC, and plumbing industries. It is available in two cab styles and two bed lengths.

The Chevrolet Equinox adds a 1.6L four-cylinder turbo diesel to its lineup of engine choices for 2018. The fuel-efficient turbo diesel generates 137 hp and 240 lb.-ft. of torque mated to a 6-speed automatic.